GEOL0026 Earth & Planetary Materials

This module introduces the student to advanced topics in crystallography and mineral physics, in particular the use of X-ray and neutron diffraction to determine mineral structures and the effects of crystal symmetry on physical properties.

Coordinator: Prof Ian Wood

Module Details

Title	Earth and Planetary Materials
UG Code	GEOL0026
Coordinator	Prof Ian Wood
Other Contributors	Prof G.D. Price (for Part 2c), Dr K.S. Knight (CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory)
Term	1
Credits	15
Written Exam	60%
Coursework	40% Those taking parts 2b or 2c will be required to write an extended essay (32% of the total mark for the course).
Pre-Requisites
Maths & Stats Content and Requirement
Total Number of Hours of Student Work	188 hours
Hours of Lectures/Seminars	16 (for Part 1): 8 (for Part 2a)
Hours of Practicals/Problem Classes	10 (for Part 1): 4 (for Part 2a)
Hours of Tutorials	4 (for either Part 2b or Part 2c)
Days of Fieldwork	0
Other	None
Categorizing Studnet Performance Levels	GEOL0026 GEOL0026

Content

The course has a common first-half which provides an introduction to the methods of crystallography and crystal structure determination. This is followed by one of three streams covering either: (a) crystal physics and its applications to Earth and Planetary forming materials, (b) structures and properties of environmental minerals, such as clays and zeolites, or (c) applications of mineralogy to rock-forming minerals.

 

AIMS

To introduce the student to advanced topics in crystallography and mineral physics; i.e., the structures and properties of Earth and planetary materials.

OUTCOMES

Part 1: Knowledge and understanding of the techniques of X-ray and neutron diffraction; and

Part 2: Either

1. The application of these methods, and the use of crystal physics, to the determination of thermoelastic and structural properties of Earth and planetary forming materials; 
2. the structures and properties of minerals in surface environments and their environmental and economic importance; 
3. the structures and properties of rock-forming minerals and their applications in geology, e.g. phase equilibria, geobarometry, etc.